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Access Type
WSU Access
Date of Award
January 2025
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Department
Education Evaluation and Research
First Advisor
Min Yu
Abstract
This research was undertaken to address notable gaps in the existing literature concerning the professional development experiences of educators, with a particular focus on the dimensions of agency and empowerment. The findings are intended to aid researchers and policymakers in designing professional development (PD) programs that are more attuned to the perspectives and experiences of teachers. Employing a qualitative phenomenological narrative inquiry approach, the study sought to investigate the professional development experiences of middle and high school teachers in urban districts, both within and outside the state. Grounded in the concept of teacher agency, the research questions and methodology were directed at uncovering teachers' needs, expectations, experiences, and perceptions regarding professional development, especially those elements that either facilitate or obstruct empowerment and agency in a PD context. Data were gathered through qualitative techniques, including surveys and semi-structured interviews conducted via video conferencing. The analysis identified several significant themes: (a) experiences with formal professional development, highlighting obstacles to PD and factors that promote professional growth, (b) preferred conditions that support teacher agency in PD; (c) teachers' needs; (d) experiences with external professional development, and (e) beliefs and experiences related to teacher agency within the PD framework. The implications of this study could lead to meaningful improvements in professional development practices and initiatives in both formal and informal environments, thereby fostering a culture of professional development that respects teachers as professionals, values their experiences, and acknowledges their potential for agency.
Recommended Citation
Naylor, Brandon Badi, "Adequacy, Equity, And Agency: A Study Of Professional Development Through Teacher Perceptions And Experiences In Urban Public Schools" (2025). Wayne State University Dissertations. 4211.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_dissertations/4211